Photo credit: Lanka Truth
It’s unreasonable to even for a moment believe that the recent arrest of Former Port Development Minister Sripathi Sooriyarachchi was not politically motivated to a large extent. As one blog on anti-corruption in Sri Lanka notes, Sripathi’s arrest raises valid questions as to why arrests have not been made regarding the gross misuse and misappropriation of public money and property by other high ranking officials in power.
In my article, I suggest that what is more disturbing and quite frankly frightening, quite aside from the allegations and conspiracy theories parried about by Sripathi and Mangala of late, is the government’s sophisticated media and political machinery that quashes, violently if need be, any dissent to its avowed course of action. We see evidence of this machinery in the public villification of pro-peace and human rights activists, media freedom activists and most recently, in the case of Munusami Parameshwaree, that clearly brought out this Government’s insidious manipulation of media to shape public opinion, with no patience for alternative viewpoints, constructive criticism or conscientious dissent.
I explore these disturbing trends further in my article, which is in Sinhala, that you can download and read by clicking here.